Roundup: Astronomical Society’s 50th, Sunrise Rotary’s Ducks …

The Westport Astronomical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary yesterday.

That’s an impressive run. Not quite as old as the universe — but that’s still impressive.

And they do cover a lot of territory.

The soirée included demonstrations, tours, games, a silent auction, raffles (of meteorites!), and astral photos for sale — along with the dedication of 2 new telescope domes.

The WAS is located at 182 Bayberry Lane. Click here for more information. 

WAS member Matt Deierlein pops his head out of the observatory.

Michael Southam scans the skies. (Hat tip and photos/Frank Rosen)

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Back on earth: Do you have your ducks in a row?

Westport Sunrise Rotary sure does.

They’re getting ready for next Saturday’s Great Duck Race, on Jesup Green.

The “Fun Faire” — with family-friendly games and activities — runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s free — but raffle tickets are still available for the duck race itself (1 p.m.). First prize is $5,000; there are 9 others too.

Click here for all the ducky details.

Seen on Jesup Green. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)

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“Private Property.” “No Trespassing.” “Rocky Hummock Island Private.”

It’s pretty clear — in English and Spanish — to stay off the land abutting Sherwood Mill Pond.

After all: “Authorized Personnel Only. Trespassers will be Prosecuted.”

Except there’s that fourth sign: “Fishermen Welcome.”

So keep out — unless you’ve got a fishing pole. Then come on in!

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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Yesterday’s Roundup noted that Westport and Weston are #1 and 2, respectively, in percentage of state residents who own electric vehicles.

Teslas are most popular, but there are many other manufacturers and brands.

A Cadillac Eldorado is not one of them — certainly not one from 1963.

But that didn’t stop this car — seen at Compo Beach yesterday — from dreaming:

(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)

Meanwhile, not far away, this one did not pretend to be anything other than a muscle car:

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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At the ungodly hour of 4 a.m. today, 15 youth and 4 adult leaders from Saugatuck Congregational Church left for their annual youth group mission trip.

This year they head to Fort Worth, Texas to help address food insecurity in the area.

Youth mission trips are open to all youth, from those entering high school in the fall to those who just graduated. Older participants can serve as counselors-in-training, while adults can be chaperones. Saugatuck Church membership is not required.

4 a.m. sendoff!

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Ospreys make their nests all over Westport. Some opt for natural surroundings (Sherwood Mill Pond, Burying Hill Beach, Longshore). Others go for a more commercial vibe, like the Fresh Market/Terrain parking lot.

This pair may have just moved — like so many new Westporters — from New York. Perhaps they want a convenient commute to the Big Apple.

Yesterday, Tom Jendrock noticed a nest in the overhead steel structure at the Westport train station. It’s perfect for our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.

The parent was feeding chicks, and was not bothered at akk when a train passed underneath. That’s a real city bird!

(Photo/Tom Jendrock)

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And finally … in honor of the 1960s car spotted at Compo Beach (story above):

(From Compo Beach to the skies above — and universe beyond — “06880” is here for you. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)